Friday, November 16, 2012

Week 11 Starters & Benchwarmers

Wondering whether or not to start
Aaron Rodgers and Arian Foster, or to bench Blaine Gabbert and Robert Meachem?
The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for help
with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and
get rolled, in Week 11 of the 2012 season.

Watch ‘em roll

Carson
Palmer, QB, Raiders vs. Saints.New Orleans’ defense is tossing out fantasy
points like Mardi Gras beads, and Palmer has been blazing hot over his last
three games.Outside of the elites,
Palmer is as close as anyone to a sure thing for at least 300 yards and 2 TDs.

Rashard
Mendenhall, RB, Steelers vs. Ravens.He is listed as probable and is expected to
start in Sunday’s showdown with the Ravens, who have given up more fantasy
points to opposing runners than every team not named the Saints.Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman will get
their carries, too; but the steady Mendenhall should be leaned on heavily with
a backup QB at the controls.

Steven
Jackson, RB, Rams vs. Jets.Admittedly, Jackson’s strong showing against
the 49ers last week was a bit of a stunner.Though he’s no sure thing – especially with Daryl Richardson sharing the
load – you have to like Jackson’s chances against New York’s 30th-ranked
run defense.

Marcel
Reece, RB, Raiders vs. Saints.The Saints have surrendered more than 100
yards to each of the last six RBs they’ve faced.With Darren McFadden out again and Taiwan
Jones relegated to spot duty, Reece has a great chance to soar, especially in
PPR formats.

Steve
Smith, WR, Panthers vs. Buccaneers.On the heels of his worst performance since
late 2011, Smith’s owners are justifiably concerned with their once-elite
receiver’s disappointing season.But
redemption awaits against the sieve-like Bucs defense, which is as solid
against the run as it is weak against the pass.

Joe Flacco, QB,
Ravens at Steelers.Coming off his first
multi-TD game since Week 4, it’s too bad Flacco now must head back to your
bench.But against the NFL’s stingiest
pass defense, he simply can’t be trusted.

Rashad Jennings,
RB, Jaguars at Texans.It’s really this
simple: Don’t start any Jaguar whose initials aren’t MJD for the rest of the
season.Jennings has been a poor surrogate
for Maurice Jones-Drew since assuming the injured starter’s role, and he is
only worth keeping on rosters in the deepest of leagues.If you need more ammo, Houston hasn’t allowed
a rushing score all season.

Mikel Leshoure,
RB, Lions vs. Packers.Aside from his
Week 9 outburst against the Jaguars, Leshoure has been fairly pedestrian as the
Lions’ starter.Coming off its bye,
Green Bay’s above-average run defense will be rested and ready. Detroit’s production
will come through the air.

Michael Crabtree,
WR, 49ers vs. Bears.Even though Alex
Smith (concussion) is expected to start, Crabtree is a bad option against the
stout Chicago secondary.Though he has
scored three of his four TDs this year over the past two games, those
highlights came against mediocre opposing secondaries.The Bears don’t fit that profile.

Josh Gordon, WR, Browns
at Cowboys. The rookie has slid quite a ways from his midseason highs, and his
rookie quarterback is likewise struggling mightily.On Sunday, the pair faces arguably the
most-improved secondary in the league.Keep Gordon out of sight.

Chris Ivory,
RB, Saints at Raiders.Even if Darren
Sproles (hand) returns, Ivory is bound to get plenty of touches against the
pathetic Oakland run defense.Sure, this
backfield is a three- or four-headed monster, but Ivory has flashed enough
game-breaking prowess to ensure a significant role in this high-scoring
offense.

DON’T BE THE BONEHEAD
WHO…lets Pierre Garcon remain a free agent any longer.If you’re in need of WR help down the
stretch, or can easily make room on your bench for a high-upside player, Garcon
is available in nearly half of all leagues.He’s close to returning from his foot injury, and he should immediately
reclaim his status as Robert Griffin III’s go-to receiver.

Welcome home, Fools!

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About the Chief Fool

Ladd Biro was named 2010 "Football Writer of the Year" by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association -- the most prestigious recognition in the biz. In 2011, he won again -- the only two-time winner in the FSWA's history. He also won for "Best Humor Column of 2011," across all sports. He was a finalist for the FFWOY Award again in 2013 and 2014, but was denied the threepeat in the kind of bribery/shakedown/ payola scandal more commonly associated with FIFA. Ladd's nationally syndicated columns have appeared in more than 20 publications -- including the Dallas Morning News, San Francisco Chronicle, Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Sun-Times and Sporting News magazine -- since 2003. Since 2009, all his written fantasy content can be found on the Fantasy Fools blog.